Intersecting Narratives of Resistance: Aimé Césaire's Critique of Colonization in “Notebook of a Return to the Native Land”

Author(s): Md. Sazzad Hossain Zahid

Publication Date: June 29, 2024

Abstract

This paper explores Aimé Césaire's critique of colonization and the quest for emancipation in Notebook of a Return to the Native Land through a lens that integrates Postcolonial and Critical Race theories. It examines the existential plight of the colonized, emphasizing internal resistance against dehumanization. Drawing on Postcolonial Theory, the analysis situates Césaire's work in the broader discourse on cultural, economic, and political effects of colonization, addressing identity, power, and resistance. A Critical Race Theory perspective explores racial hierarchies within Césaire's narrative, elucidating the intersectionality of race, power, and social structures. Dissecting The Notebook of a Return to the Native Land, the paper reveals pervasive hopelessness and inertia characterizing colonized life. Césaire's vivid imagery captures stagnation and fear in Martinique, portraying a society paralyzed by poverty, disease, and oppression. Emphasizing Césaire's call for confrontation and rejection as steps toward liberation, the research underscores the continuous need for transformation, both individually and collectively. By amalgamating these theoretical frameworks, this paper contributes to understanding the intricacies of colonization and the enduring struggle for freedom in Aimé Césaire's work.